Helmut Lutz’s Bicycle Stage
Helmut Lutz He is a recognized and outstanding artist on the international stage and created the art project “Fortschritt” to mark the 1,650th anniversary of the city of Breisach. To this end, he explored the concept of progress using his “Wheel Stage,” created 35 years ago, which is now permanently anchored on Breisach’s Münsterberg and remains a mystery to many observers. The purpose of the event was to involve citizens in the art project so that they could engage with the concept of progress by asking questions. “The stage piece took the form of the wheel stage, not the other way around. Progress isn’t only positive, but I believe young people sense where things are headed. Young people are searching for a secure future,” said the artist before the performance began. When viewing the wheel-shaped stage in its rigid, static form, it’s hard to imagine what lies behind it in terms of Greek mythology à la Helmut Lutz. This perspective opens up when the artist sets it in motion and the play—which reflects Helmut Lutz’s own dramatic vision—is performed. He admitted that he carries this drama within himself. On the occasion of the 1,650th anniversary celebration in Breisach, Helmut Lutz used the wheel stage to unveil his eccentric dramaturgy, igniting its impact on the audience.
The Radbühne is part of the Breisach city tour
With the “Wheel Stage,” Helmut Lutz conceived his very own, personal performance. The play’s dramaturgy becomes apparent only when the Wheel Stage begins to move. The performance is closely linked to the idea of Europe and progress. In the play, Adam set the wheel of the earth in motion, Prometheus set the wheel of fire in motion, and Pandora emerged from the cloud in the sky carrying the box. The four elements—fire, water, air, and earth played their parts on their unconventional crutches and tin uniforms, and the exposed pendulum with the rolling globe between the angel and Sophia was intended to bestow upon the viewer of the performance the wisdom needed to counteract the dangers within the machinery of progress.
We’re visiting the Radbühne as part of a Breisach City Tour.
